Peace and Quiet - a_carrion_crow

[heaven_helps]

Bernard and Monica Emory hosted a September party every year. In their younger days, it celebrated the return of their five children to boarding school. Now, with those children grown, it was merely held out of tradition. There was dinner and toasting and some dancing. While the separation was much more unofficial than at other parties Gotham's

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[a_carrion_crow]

At that, he laughed. "I think they have bigger worries now. Didn't you know there was an actual super-villain downstairs?"

[a_carrion_crow]

"That's what he's calling himself, yes. You can see the people around him remember his other name." He looked at her oddly. "Has it been so long?"

[heaven_helps]

"My mom was only around in kind of the last days of the 'big names.' I heard about them, but by the time I really was old enough to have an interest, they were either gone or retired," she said, smiling. "And I'm afraid I don't tend to pay attention to the gossip..."

[a_carrion_crow]

"Better not tell him that. He might get it into his head to remind people. I've heard he had quite the ego back in the day - he probably still does."

[heaven_helps]

"It'd finally give them something to hate me for. They're always looking for something," she said, chuckling. "So," as if she didn't know every crime he'd ever been accused of, "what was he called then? Or-- what did he call himself?"

[a_carrion_crow]

He tried not to sound affronted. "You really don't recognize him - the Scarecrow?"

As he said the word, Crane glanced over, cold blue eyes assessing them, then looking away.

[heaven_helps]

"Oh!" Helena snapped her fingers and nodded. "Now it rings a bell. Yeah, I've heard of him." She managed to sound significantly awed. "That's really the Scarecrow?"

A soft chuckle came from just behind the doctor. "Do my eyes deceive me?" Duela Crane murmured.

[a_carrion_crow]

"They might, Mrs. Crane, unless what you think you see is a young woman who doesn't recognize your husband." He smiled at the older woman. "This is Helena Kyle - she's here for the Lance Center."

[heaven_helps]

"It's... very nice to meet you. Both of you," Helena said, though with a bit of hesitation. Another part of her was on high alert, suspicious, but she couldn't let that show. Instead, she'd play the part of the intimidated socialite.

"It's nice to meet you too, Helena," Duela said politely, shaking the girl's hand.

[a_carrion_crow]

"Ms. Kyle tells me she's having some difficulty getting donations tonight. Any ideas why that might be?"

[heaven_helps]

"Are you? That's unfortunate," Duela replied.

Helena nodded, mentally sizing the woman up. The daughter of the former-DA-turned-criminal Harvey "Two-Face" Dent and a former-ADA-turned-defense-lawyer, a well known lawyer in her own right, married to Jonathan "Scarecrow" Crane. "Most of Gotham's elite doesn't care what happens to kids who turn to crime. They'd be happy to just lock them up and throw away the key. The Lance Center really tries to help evaluate, counsel, and rehabilitate those who come to us either of their own will or by court order."

"It's a wonderful cause. My husband and I would be happy to send the center a donation." She looked at the man with her. Helena almost smiled as she realized it wasn't really a question. "Well, unless you object, Jonathan?"

[a_carrion_crow]

Crane looked bored and vaguely annoyed, except when he glanced at his wife. "Not really, my dear, but I wonder if they have any vacancies on the board? I'm sure one of us has time for a new project. What do you think?"

[heaven_helps]

As almost anyone who heard the idea of the name "Crane" being associated with their project might, Helena lost her smile briefly. She forced it back before she said, knowing it was pointless to lie, "We're short staffed on all our levels, though it's all volunteer work." After all, if she said all the positions were full... she might only succeed in bringing down the wrath of the Scarecrow on the center.

[a_carrion_crow]

"Well, of course. No-one expects board members of a charitable institution to draw a salary. Now, the hospital I used to run was a different matter, even though some of its goals were the same." he fixed her with those intense blue eyes - identical, in fact, to Mrs. Crane's. "I might be very interested in assisting certain programs."

Breaking the stare, he turned to his wife, "Unless you object, Duela? Perhaps you could discuss it further with our young friend."

[heaven_helps]

Helena, inconsistent with the timid, cautious look on her face, met his gaze, looking right into those eyes of his. When he broke the gaze, her posture reverted to what it had been, and she looked to the side... which she should have done long before if her actions were completely authentic. But, then again, everyone in Gotham had something to hide.

Duela smiled. "That sounds like an idea worth discussing, at the very least." She looked at Helena, "I can promise you a donation, and it sounds like you might have an extra pair of hands or two to help you out."

"You're both very kind," Helena replied. She turned her head to look at Joshua, smiling a little. "This Saturday we're repainting the cafeteria. You're probably busy, and it's really messy work anyway, but if you wanted..."

[a_carrion_crow]

"I think I could manage to show up - especially if there's a bribe involved. Lunch? Dinner?"